Inflatable Chair With Cushion Top

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an inflatable chair having at least three sections. The inflatable chair has a lower inflatable support chamber that has a top and bottom layer. The inflatable chair also has an upper cushioning portion and a stabilizing member. The upper cushioning portion and the stabilizing member are in fluid communication with the lower inflatable support chamber. The inflatable chair is made of a high elastic PVC material.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of inflatable supportsystems, particularly to an inflatable chair having at least threesections and an improved level of comfort.

2. Background Information

Inflatable chairs have been known in the art for many years. It isdesirable for an inflatable chair to have as high a comfort level aspossible while maintaining the stability of traditional solid furniture.

Many existing inflatable chairs suffer from a tendency to roll over.Furthermore, many are uncomfortable, unsightly and cumbersome to store.

The invention provides a unique functional configuration and providesimproved comfort and style.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an inflatable chair having at least three sections.The inflatable chair has a lower inflatable support chamber including atop layer, a rear gusset, opposing side gussets, and a bottom layer. Theinflatable chair also has an upper cushioning portion including a firstlayer and a second layer. The upper cushioning portion is in fluidcommunication with the lower chamber. The chair also includes at leastone stabilizing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is front planar view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear planar view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom planar view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing theupper cushioning portion separated from the lower inflatable supportchamber;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 presented suchthat the side gussets and upper cushioning portion have been removed;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the sidegussets separated from the top layer of the lower inflatable supportchamber;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring in combination to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of theinflatable chair 10 of the present invention is shown. In thisembodiment, the lower inflatable support chamber 12 may be in the shapeof a conventional over-stuffed chair, but other sizes and shapes areenvisioned. The chair 10 may be comprised of at least a lower inflatablesupport chamber 12, an upper cushioning portion 14, and an inflatablestabilizing member 16. The lower inflatable support chamber 12 may befurther defined by a top layer 18, opposing side gussets 20 and 22, abottom layer 24 (see FIG. 4) and a rear gusset 26 (see FIG. 3). The reargusset 26 may be a member separate from the bottom layer 24 and the toplayer 18, or may be integral with either or both of the respectivelayers 18 and 24.

Referring in combination to FIGS. 5-7, the construction of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated. The lower inflatable supportchamber 12 may be formed from a top layer 18, opposing side gussets 20and 22, a bottom layer 24, and a rear gusset 26. Generally, the proximaledge 18 a of the top layer 18 may be welded, using conventional methodssuch as heat or sonic welding, to the proximal edge 26 a of the reargusset and the distal edge 18 b of the top layer 18 may be welded to thedistal edge 24 b of the bottom layer 24, as shown in FIG. 6. The distaledge 26 b of the rear gusset may also be attached to the distal edge 24a of the bottom layer 24 to define two generally L-shaped outerperipheries.

Also shown in FIG. 6, structural elements may be defined within thelower inflatable chamber 12. These elements, or “coils” 32, 34 asreferred to herein and in the art, function to keep the individualgusset members and layers from over-expanding when the chair isinflated, over-inflated or when pressure is exerted upon the chair inuse.

In a first embodiment, the coils may be bands or strips of PVC or othersuitable material, welded to the inner surfaces of the inflatable chair10. The weld can take many shapes, forming desired patterns on the outersurface of the inflatable structure. The coils 32, 34 may be a singlestrip of PVC welded at each end to the lower inflatable support chamber12 to provide structure and support to the chair 10.

In another embodiment the coils 32, 34 may have the shape of elongatedcylinders, ovals or squares. The coils 32, 34 may be sealed at each endproviding interstitial spaces between them. The sealed ends of the coils32, 34 are sonically welded to the top and bottom layers 18, 24 and thetop layer 18 and rear gusset 26, respectively. The coils 32, 34 may beformed from K-80 16-gauge PVC, 16-gauge PVC laminated to 150D polyester,or high elastic 16-gauge PVC, or similar material to provideflexibility. Desirably, channels or holes are left around the respectivewelds so that air may flow through the entire construction duringinflation of this embodiment.

At least a first coil 32, and optionally a second coil, of any suitableshape or configuration, may extend from approximately the center portionof the bottom layer 24 of the lower inflatable support chamber 12 to asubstantially horizontal portion or seating portion of the top layer 18of the inflatable chamber 12. In this construction, the coil(s) preventthe top layer 18 and the bottom layer 24 from bowing outwards when theinflatable chair is inflated.

A second set of coil(s) 34 may connect a substantially vertical portionof the top layer 18 of the inflatable chamber 12 with the rear gusset 26of the chamber 12. This second set of coils prevents the top layer 18and the rear gusset 26 from bowing outwards when the inflatable chair isinflated.

The coil 32, 34 configuration forms a generally L-shaped frame thatincludes a back rest portion, for the lower inflatable support chamber12, much like a conventional over-stuffed chair. To complete the lowerinflatable support chamber 12, opposing side gussets 20 and 22 may besonically welded to the generally L-shaped frame created by the toplayer 18, the bottom layer 24, the rear gusset 26, and the coils 32 a,32 b, 34 as shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, the opposing side gussets 20,22 may include additional in-laid panels that add style and comfort tothe overall design of the chair. The panels maybe be welded to thesurface of the side, top, or bottom gussets with an opening in betweenthe respective layers to allow the entire structure to inflate.

The use of materials such as high elastic K-80 16-gauge PVC adds to theflexibility and comfort of the lower chamber 12. Other materials, suchas K-70 18-gauge PVC and K-70 28-gauge PVC may also be used in theconstruction of the inflatable chair, particularly, in the lowerinflatable support chamber 12. The flexibility of each component isdefined by the type of material used to construct each panel.Furthermore, if a lighter configuration is desired, some or all of thecomponents may be constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Referring in combination to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the first embodiment ofthe present invention also comprises an upper cushioning portion 14 thatmay be affixed to the top layer 18 of the lower inflatable supportchamber 12. As shown in exploded view in FIG. 5, the upper cushioningportion 14 may be constructed from a first 28 and a second 30 layer,each constructed from materials such as high elastic K-80 16-gauge PVC.The first 28 and second 30 layers may be welded or otherwise attached toeach other so as to form a narrow inflatable cushioning chamber betweenthem. The cushioning chamber formed by the first 28 and second 30 layersmay then be welded or otherwise attached to the top layer 18 of thelower inflatable support chamber 12.

The cushioning chamber formed by the first 28 and second 30 layers isshaped to substantially match the shape of the top layer 18 of the lowerinflatable support chamber 12, but the cushioning chamber does notextend completely to the side gussets 20, 22 of the lower inflatablesupport chamber 12. The upper cushioning portion 14 may be constructedin various sizes and lengths and the welding pattern can take anyconfiguration, as shown in various alternative embodiments, such asthose shown in FIGS. 8-10. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the chair may bedecoratively imbued with different patterns on its upper portion. Thesepatterns may be created by welding or otherwise sealing the first 28 andsecond 30 layers of the upper cushioning portion 14, and optionally thetop layer 18 of the lower inflatable chamber to one another. Sinusoidalwaves, flowers, paisley patterns, or geographic prints are just some ofmany examples of suitable welding patterns used on embodiments ofinflatable chairs.

The first 28 and second 30 layers are welded together around the edgesof the top and bottom layers 28, 30, and the bottom layer 30 of theupper cushioning portion 14 is preferably welded to the top layer 18 ofthe lower chamber 12 along the outer edge of the bottom layer 30. Thisallows the upper cushioning portion 14 to extend above the top layer 18of the lower chamber 12. This positioning creates a more comfortableseating area. The upper cushioning portion 14 is welded to the lowerchamber 12 by sonic welding or chemical bonding. Other types of weldingknown in the art are also envisioned.

Another embodiment of inflatable chair of the present invention mayinclude a cushioning portion comprised of only a first layer 28. In thisembodiment, the first layer 28 may be directly welded to the top layer18 of the lower inflatable chamber 12. In this embodiment, the firstlayer 28 and the top layer 18 form the upper cushioning portion 14. Inthis embodiment, the welding patterns described above are formed bywelding or attaching the first layer 28 of the upper cushioning portion14 and the top layer 18 of the lower inflatable support chamber 12together in various decorative patterns.

The lower inflatable support chamber 12 may include openings 38 or airpassageways, preferably in its top layer 18, that are in fluidcommunication with the internal surfaces of the upper cushioning portion14 of the chair 10. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the top layer 18includes at least two openings 38 near the proximal and distal edges ofthe layer. The bottom layer 30 of the upper cushioning portion 14 hascorresponding openings 40 that allow the upper cushioning portion 14 tobe inflated simultaneously with the lower inflatable support chamber 12.In an embodiment of the chair 10 wherein the upper cushioning portionincludes only a top layer 28, only the top layer 18 of the lowerinflatable support chamber 12 may have air openings or passageways 38.When the top layer 28 of the upper cushioning portion 14 is welded orattached to the top layer of the lower inflatable support chamber 12,both portions will inflate. It is contemplated that the openings 38 and40 may be placed at any suitable location on the respective layers, solong as they allow fluid communication between the layers or chambers.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the chair 10 of the present invention mayalso include an inflatable stabilizing member 16. The stabilizing member16 and the bottom layer 24 may be constructed out of 16-gauge PVClaminated to 150D polyester material, or other suitable material. Thestabilizing member 16 may be defined as a c-shaped tube attached nearthe base of the lower inflatable support chamber 12 and extending aroundthe periphery of the bottom layer 24 of the lower inflatable supportchamber 12 at the junction between the top layer 18 and the bottom layer24. Alternatively, the stabilizing member 16 may extend around theentire periphery of the bottom of the inflatable chamber 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizing member 16 may have a top gusset 40and a bottom gusset 42 and may be attached to the opposing side gussets20, 22 and the bottom layer 24 of the inflatable chamber, respectively.The top and bottom gussets 40, 42 may also be welded together at both oftheir sides, and attached only to the opposing side gussets 20, 22 oronly the bottom layer 24. Alternatively, the stabilizing member 16 maybe constructed of one continuous piece of material, and attached to thesides and bottom of the inflatable chamber 12, as described above.

The stabilizing member 16 may also be in fluid communication with thelower inflatable support chamber 12. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4,the stabilizing member includes at least one opening (not shown) in eachend that is in fluid communication with the lower inflatable supportchamber 12. Each opening may be formed at any position along the lengthof the stabilizing member 16, but generally, the openings are disposedat opposing distal and proximal end portions of the member 16. It iscontemplated that there are other methods of creating fluidrelationships between the lower inflatable support chamber 12 and itsstabilizing member 16 and the upper cushioning portion 14 of the chair10.

The inflatable chair of the present invention may be inflated/deflatedusing a pump (not shown) attached to a valve (not shown) on the reargusset 26 of the lower inflatable support chamber 12. Different pumpsand valves may be utilized in the present invention and theirpositioning may be adjusted depending on their size and/or shape. In oneembodiment, the pump can be battery or DC-powered. Alternatively, thepump can plug into a standard household electrical socket. The pump 36may be externally or internally mounted, and may incorporate a controlthat allows a user to control the pressure within the chair 10 such asthose described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,267,363 and 5,367,726, both toRobert Chaffee. The pump 36 should be powerful enough to fill both theupper cushioning portion 14 and inflatable chamber 12 of the chair 10with a gas or fluid, such that the inflatable chamber 12 in combinationwith the upper cushioning portion 14 provide a comfortable surface for auser. The pump 36 can be designed to automatically stop inflating thechair 10 when the pressure within the chair 10 reaches a certain level.Furthermore, the pump 36 could also monitor the pressure within thechair 10 and automatically activate in order to maintain a specificpressure.

It is also possible to utilize a detachable pump (not shown). Such apump could be removably attached to the chair 10. If such a pump wereused, a single valve 36 could be used to both inflate and deflate thechair 10. In such an embodiment, the pump could removably attach to thevalve 36 for inflation, and then be removed and the valve 36 opened fordeflation. An example of such a detachable pump and corresponding valveare described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,653 to Robert Chaffee. Only onevalve 36 is necessary in such an embodiment.

The inflatable chair 10 may also include various additional components,such as side mesh pockets 44. The mesh pockets 44, as shown in FIG. 1,may be attached to the respective side gussets 20, 22 of the lowerinflatable support chamber 12. The pockets can store television remotecontrols, beverages, or gaming controllers, for example. The pockets 44may be sonically welded to the side gussets 20, 22 or attached in anysuitable manner known in the art.

The claimed invention also encompasses a method of supporting a user.The present method comprises first providing an inflatable chair 10having two fluidly connected air chambers 12, 14, each of which may beat least partially formed by panels having varying levels of elasticity.As in the previously described embodiments, these panels are preferablyformed from PVC materials having either high elasticity such as K-8016-gauge PVC or lower elasticity such as K-70 18 or 28-gauge PVC.Alternatively, the panels may be formed from TPU. A pump is alsoprovided and is connected to at least one of these air chambers 12, 14,and the chambers 12, 14 are inflated using this pump. The method furthercomprises the step of providing a plurality of structural elements suchas the coils 32, 34 described previously. These coils 32, 34 are definedwithin at least one of the chambers 12, and help maintain the shape ofthe chair by preventing the outer surfaces from bowing outwards.

It should be noted that there could be a wide range of changes made tothe present embodiments without departing from the scope of the claimedinvention. As noted, the welding pattern on the upper cushioning portion14 could take different forms. The entire chair 10 could also beconstructed in any number of shapes and sizes.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description beregarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understoodthat it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that areintended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

1. An inflatable chair comprising: A lower inflatable support chambercomprised of a top layer, opposing side gussets, a rear gusset, and abottom layer, wherein said top layer includes a proximal edge and adistal edge, said rear gusset includes a proximal edge and a distaledge, and said bottom layer includes a proximal edge and a distal edge;said proximal edge of said top layer being connected to said proximaledge of said rear gusset, said distal edge of said rear gusset beingconnected to said proximal edge of said bottom layer, and said distaledge of said bottom layer being connected to said distal edge of saidtop layer; an upper cushioning portion, said upper cushioning portion influid communication with said lower inflatable support chamber,comprising at least a first layer, wherein said first layer of saidupper cushioning portion is disposed adjacent to said top layer of saidlower inflatable support chamber; and a stabilizing member in fluidcommunication with said lower inflatable support chamber, saidstabilizing member being disposed near a base of said lower inflatablesupport chamber and extending around at least a portion of a peripheryof said base of lower inflatable support chamber.
 2. The inflatablechair of claim 1, wherein said lower inflatable support chamber, saidupper cushioning portion, and said stabilizing member are formed of PVCmaterial.
 3. The inflatable chair of claim 2, further comprising a pumpconnected to said lower inflatable support chamber.
 4. The inflatablechair of claim 1, wherein said upper cushioning portion furthercomprises a second layer.
 5. The inflatable chair of claim 4, whereinsaid first layer of said upper cushioning portion is attached to saidsecond layer of said upper cushioning portion and said upper cushioningportion is attached to said top layer of said lower inflatable supportchamber.
 6. The inflatable chair of claim 5, wherein said first layer ofsaid upper cushioning portion is comprised of material having a lowerelasticity than said side gusset and said top layer of said lowerinflatable chamber.
 7. The inflatable chair of claim 6, wherein saidfluid communication is provided by at least one opening defined in saidsecond layer of said upper cushioning portion in substantial alignmentwith at least one opening defined in said upper layer of said bottomchamber.
 8. The inflatable chair of claim 1, wherein said lowerinflatable support chamber further comprises at least one structuralelement defined within said lower inflatable support chamber.
 9. Theinflatable chair of claim 8, wherein said at least one structuralelement is an elongated oval.
 10. The inflatable chair of claim 8,wherein said lower inflatable support chamber comprises at least onestructural element having a first end and a second end, said at leastone structural element being attached to said top layer of said lowerinflatable support chamber at said first end and attached to said reargusset of said lower inflatable support chamber at said second end. 11.The inflatable chair of claim 10, wherein said lower inflatable supportchamber further comprises a second structural element having a first endand a second end, said first end of said second structural element beingattached to said top layer of said lower inflatable support chamber andsaid second end of said second structural element attached to saidbottom layer of said lower inflatable support chamber.
 12. Theinflatable chair of claim 1, wherein said chair further comprises atleast one side pocket disposed on one of said side gussets.
 13. A methodof supporting a user, said method comprising the steps of: providing alower inflatable support chamber; said lower support chamber having atop layer, opposing side gussets, a rear gusset, and a bottom layer;wherein said top layer includes a proximal edge and a distal edge, saidrear gusset includes a proximal edge and a distal edge, and said bottomlayer includes a proximal edge and a distal edge, said proximal edge ofsaid top layer being connected to said proximal edge of said reargusset, said distal edge of said rear gusset being connected to saidproximal edge of said bottom layer, and said distal edge of said bottomlayer being connected to said distal edge of said top layer; attachingan upper cushioning portion to said lower inflatable support chamber,said upper cushioning portion being in fluid communication with saidlower inflatable support chamber, said upper cushioning portioncomprising at least a first layer, said first layer of said uppercushioning portion being disposed adjacent to said top layer of saidlower inflatable support chamber; providing a stabilizing member influid communication with said lower inflatable support chamber, saidstabilizing member being disposed near a base of said lower inflatablesupport chamber and extending around at least a portion of a peripheryof said base of lower inflatable support chamber; and providing a pumpand inflating said lower inflatable support chamber, said uppercushioning portion, and said stabilizing member with said pump.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing at leastone structural element attached at a first end to said top layer of saidlower inflatable support chamber and attached at a second end to saidrear gusset of said lower inflatable support chamber.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of providing a second structuralelement attached at a first end to said top layer of said lowerinflatable support chamber and attached at a second end to said bottomlayer of said lower inflatable support chamber.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein the step of providing said upper cushioning portion furtherincludes providing a second layer, wherein said first layer of saidupper cushioning member and said second layer of said upper cushioningportion are attached to each other to define a cushioning chamber, saidcushioning chamber being in fluid communication with said lowerinflatable support chamber.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein themethod further comprises the step of providing at least one pocketdisposed on at least one of said opposing side gussets.
 18. The methodof claim 13, wherein said lower inflatable support chamber, said uppercushioning portion, and said stabilizing member, are comprised of PVCmaterial.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein said fluid communicationbetween said lower inflatable support chamber and said upper cushioningportion is provided by at least one opening defined in said top layer ofsaid lower inflatable chamber.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein saidfluid communication between said lower inflatable support chamber andsaid stabilizing member is provided by at least one opening defined inat least one of said side gussets and said stabilizing member.
 21. Theinflatable chair of claim 1, wherein said bottom layer of said bottominflatable support chamber is comprised of 150D polyester material and16 gage PVC material.
 22. The inflatable chair of claim 21, wherein saidstabilizing member is comprised of 150D polyester material and 16 gagePVC material.